Sunbrella Care
I thought the following
might be of interest.
Is SunbrellaR fabric waterproof?
Sunbrella fabric is not waterproof;
it is water repellent. This means that during the finishing process a water
repellent finish is applied to the fabric. Normal wear and usage will reduce
the effectiveness of this finish as will cleaning the fabric. We suggest that after Sunbrella
fabrics are cleaned and if they remain exposed to the elements constantly and
water repellency is a factor that you
retreat your Sunbrella
fabrics with a water repellent treatment such as 303 High Tech Fabric GuardT which can be purchased at local awning and marine
shops.
Will SunbrellaR fabric mildew?
Sunbrella fabrics, if kept clean,
will not mildew. An inherent
characteristic of acrylic fiber is that it
will not support the growth of mildew, as a natural fiber will. Mildew will and
can grow on any surface that is dirty, so to keep your Sunbrella
fabric from mildewing you must keep your fabric clean. If mildew growth becomes
a problem please refer to our care and cleaning instructions.
Can I hose down SunbrellaR fabric?
One of the best ways to keep
Sunbrella fabrics looking good and to delay the need
for deep or vigorous cleaning is to hose fabrics off on a monthly basis with
clear water. This practice will help prevent dirt from becoming deeply imbedded
in the fabric and eliminate the need for more frequent vigorous cleanings. In
most environments, a thorough cleaning will be needed every two to three years.
Remember after hosing down the fabric to allow the fabric to air dry.
Do your fabrics dry quickly?
Because Sunbrella
fabrics are woven, they are also highly breathable, which is why they dry
quickly with only air exposure. It's also important to know that Sunbrella fabrics are treated with a flurocarbon
finish, which enhances water repellency. This finish
requires replenishment after vigorous cleaning.
How often do I need to thoroughly clean the fabric?
In most environments, a
thorough cleaning will be needed every
How can I clean bird droppings on my awning?
For those stains that are
beyond our normal care and cleaning instructions, such as bird droppings, roof
run-off, acid rain, pollution, rust, tree sap, insect stains, etc., we suggest
the following products: an off-the-shelf product such as Goo
Gone Grease Cutter (a hand cleaner), Greased Lightning, or Clean Rite Purple
Power (available at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc.) or Release (available through
Awning Rejuvenation Systems International in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida;
800.776.5664). Rub product into fabric, allowing penetration. Brush with a soft
brush, rinse THOROUGHLY and repeat if necessary.
In your cleaning instructions, you use the term "Mild"
or "Natural Soap". What is
"Mild" or "Natural" soap?
By "Natural Soap"
we mean Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite.
These gentle soaps rinse out easily and will not diminish the water-repellent
"finish" applied to the fabric.
Regular laundry detergent will not harm the fabric, but the
water-repellent "finish" will be removed sooner (laundry detergent
does not affect the stain and UV resistance). BE SURE to use cold water and to
air dry the fabric when using laundry detergent. In addition, after several
cleanings you will need to retreat the fabric with a water repellent product,
such as 303 High Tech Fabric GuardT.
Cheers,
Dick Walker
C-320 (687) WindWalker II
Here is the Sunbrella information:
Awning/Marine
One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella brand fabrics looking good and to delay the need for deep or vigorous cleanings is to hose fabrics off on a monthly basis with clear water. This practice will help prevent dirt from becoming deeply imbedded in the fabric and eliminate the need for more frequent vigorous cleanings. In most environments, a horough cleaning will be needed every two to three years. When it's time for a thorough cleaning, Sunbrella fabrics can be cleaned while still on an awning frame or a boat or, size permitting, they can be removed for cleaning in a washing machine.
When cleaning Sunbrella fabrics, it is important to observe the following:
Always use a mild soap i.e. Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite. Never detergent. Water should be cold to lukewarm. Never more than 100 degrees. Air dry only. Never apply heat to Sunbrella fabrics. If you are cleaning Sunbrella while still on an awning frame or a boat,
follow these simple steps:
Brush off loose dirt.
Hose down.
Prepare a cleaning mixture of water and mild soap (no detergents).
Use a soft bristle brush to clean.
Allow soap to soak in.
Rinse thoroughly.
Air dry.
If stubborn stains persist, you can use a diluted chlorine bleach/soap mixture for spot cleaning of mildew, roof run-off or other similar stains (see our Stain Chart for specific recommendations).
Prepare a special cleaning mixture:
Eight ounces (one cup) of chlorine bleach.
Two ounces (one-fourth cup) of mild soap.
One gallon of water.
Clean with soft bristle brush.
Allow mixture to soak for up to 20 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly.
Air dry.
Repeat if necessary.
Remember to protect the area around your Sunbrella if using a bleach solution. Carpet or other fabrics that are not Sunbrella may have an adverse reaction to the bleach.
If an awning or boat cover is suitable in size for a washing machine, these steps should be followed:
Use only mild soaps. No detergent.
Wash and rinse in cold water.
Air dry. Never put Sunbrella fabrics in your dryer.
Re-treating the Fabric
As part of the finishing process, Sunbrella fabrics are treated with a fluorocarbon finish, which enhances water repellency. This finish is designed to last for several years, but must be replenished after a thorough cleaning. Based on test results, Glen Raven recommends 303 High Tech Fabric GuardT as the preferred re-treatment product for Sunbrella fabrics. Fabrics should be retreated after thorough cleaning or after five years of use. Check with your local Sunbrella dealer or distributor for more information.
Applying 303 High Tech Fabric GuardT
303 should be applied to Sunbrella fabrics after each thorough cleaning, which typically removes the original fluorocarbon finish and reduces the fabric's water repellency. After cleaning the fabric, allow it to air dry completely and then apply 303 in a thin, even coat. After allowing the first coat of 303 to air dry, apply a second thin, even coating of 303. Two light coatings are more effective in restoring fabric water resistance than a single heavy coating. A 15-ounce bottle provides coverage of up to 50 square feet of lightweight fabric. Always apply 303 to clean fabric.
Cheers,
Dick Walker
C-320 (687) WindWalker II
I would like to give my sail cover a nice wash and then add use Fabric Guard to add some protection back to it like was suggested on a prior thread. My question is what is safe to use to wash the sail cover? I'm assuming you can't throw it in the washing machine. :-)
On a more serious note, do detergents cause any problems with the fabric if used to wash it?